Monday Night Raw 11-28-05 Review

Monday, November 28th, 2005
Quicken Loans Arena
Cleveland, Ohio

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Eric Bischoff is in the ring to begin the show. He isn't happy about the results of last night and he's putting everyone on notice. He calls out the entire locker room, but no one comes out. He says that he is going to head back and fire the first person he sees, which leads to Mr. McMahon's music and out he comes. Vince says that the reason no one came out was because he told them that he didn't have to. He rips on Bischoff for not hitting any of the three goals he set and he's not going to allow him to run the show into the ground. Vince then says Bischoff has to set a goal and actually accomplish it and if he doesn't, he says he may be looking for a new GM. Bischoff says that he doesn't think that Vince could find anyone to replace him, so Shane McMahon's music hits. Vince says that he was born to do this job and Bischoff leaves.

Shawn Michaels vs. Carlito

So Carlito thinks he should have been the Raw captain. So obviously this is a blood feud here. Carlito starts it off by slapping Michaels across the face and then spits in his face. Michaels tries to make a comeback, but Carlito hits the Backstabber. Carlito throws Michaels out, but Michaels skins the cat. Carlito clotheslines him out of the ring for good measure. Carlito then launches himself over the top rope and onto Michaels. This is a slightly more spirited performance by Carlito here. Michaels attempts to make another comeback, but is selling the left knee. The ref is checking in on him to see if he can continue as we go into the commercial. When we come back, Carlito has him in a half crab. Michaels attempts to get to the top rope, but Carlito gets there before he can do anything. Michaels fights him off and barely pulls off the elbow drop. That was a good sell there by Michaels. Michaels attempts Sweet Chin Music, but he's not able to execute the move. Carlito hits a DDT for a close call. Michaels pushes Carlito in the direction of the referee and the distraction allows Michaels to hit Sweet Chin Music this time and pick up the victory. It's unfortunate for these younger guys that they can't fight Michaels every week, because he's the only one who is guaranteed to get a good match out of them. 

Match Rating: *** (out of 5)

Kurt Angle is livid and is calling his match at Survivor Series the biggest screw job in history and he wants the WWE Championship.

After some Survivor Series highlights, Maria comes in and asks Bischoff if he thinks he will be fired tonight. She says that Shane McMahon told her to ask him that. Bischoff says tonight she's going to wrestle tonight against Kurt Angle.

Maria vs. Kurt Angle

Daivari comes down to be the referee of the match, but Chad Patton attempts to throw him out and they get into it. Daivari attacks him and puts him in the Camel Clutch. Angle comes down and grabs a mic. He tells her that he isn't going to hurt her and that this is a stupid idea. He just asks for a hug and tells her that they'll call it a day. He hugs her and then gives a creepy face before hitting the Angle Slam. He's about to put her in the Ankle Lock, but out comes Cena to make the save. Now Chris Masters is out and puts Cena in the Master Lock. As they continue the assault, Bischoff comes out and announce that his goal is to see Cena lose the WWE Championship. Tonight, Cena will face Kurt Angle and Chris Masters in a No Disqualification, No Count Out Triple Threat Submission Match. Styles is worried because Cena doesn't have a submission hold that he uses. 

Trish Stratus, Mickie James & Ashley vs. Candice Michelle, Victoria & Torrie Wilson

Mickie and Torrie start things off. Mickie hits a crossbody and tags in Ashley, who hits a double ax handle from the second rope. Torrie quickly turns things around and tags in Candice. Victoria comes in shortly after and takes advantage the inexperienced Ashley. Victoria misses her slingshot somersault leg drop and that allows Ashley to tag in Mickie. Mickie hits some fists and then hits a spinning heel kick. Mickie hits a headscissor takedown and then hits Stratusfaction and gets the win. Trish didn't even get in the match. 

Match Rating: 1/2*

Shane walks into Bischoff's office and insults him about putting Maria in that match. Bischoff says that while they are being honest, he tells Shane that he is part of the lucky sperm club. Shane shoves him against the wall and tells him to never disrespect him or his family. 

Angle and Daivari are getting ready for their match. Daivari says that as soon as Kurt puts in a submission hold, he is going to instantly ring the bell. Masters comes in and says that doesn't only screw Cena, it screws him. Masters says he went to Vince and as a result Daivari is not the referee for their match. 

Shelton Benjamin vs. Trevor Murdoch

They immediately go at it and Benjamin hits a top rope clothesline to the floor. Back in the ring, Murdoch is able to recover and stomp away on Shelton. Shelton hits a couple of clotheslines and a back body drop. Shelton goes for another top rope clothesline, but this one misses. Benjamin goes for a second rope sunset flip, but Shelton overshoots him and Murdoch has to cover and attacks him. Murdoch drops Shelton face-first into the second rope. He rolls him up and holds the tight to steal the victory in a quick match. Apparently Murdoch is no longer with Cade? 

Match Rating: 3/4*

Triple H is here in the ring now and says that despite what people think, he is a compassionate man. He made sure that Flair's hospital had the USA Network so he can watch Raw tonight. He says that Ric Flair is done and he got to go out on top by going back-to-back pay-per-views with Triple H. He says there is no one who will step up and look him in the eye and say something to his face. Cue Big Show's music. We get a bleeped out word here, that's how mad Big Show is at Triple H. Show tells him his time is here now and asks him if he has the guts to fight him now. Triple H is about to answer, but Show smacks the mic out of his hand. Triple H retreats.

World Tag Team Championship Match

Big Show & Kane vs. Snitsky & Tomko

We join the match in progress. After a short heat segment on Kane, Show gets tagged in and hits power moves on both opponents. Kane hits the flying clothesline and then clotheslines Snitsky over the top rope. Show hits the chokeslam on Tomko and gets the victory. This happened. 

Match Rating: 1/4*

No Disqualification, No Count Out Triple Threat Submission Match For The WWE Championship 

Kurt Angle vs. Chris Masters vs. John Cena

Cena runs in and tries to attack Angle, but the 2-on-1 advantage quickly brings that to a halt. The Angle/Masters team quickly dissolves and Angle dumps him over the top rope. Cena makes a comeback and puts Angle up for the FU, but Angle counters that into the Ankle Lock. Masters comes from behind and puts the Master Lock on Angle. Angle is doing a really nice job of trying to break the hold and selling the hold, as if I needed some sort of reminder how amazing Angle is. Cena comes in and breaks the hold, but Masters greets him with a vertical suplex. Now Masters puts the Master Lock on Cena, which brings Cena to his knees until Angle is able to break the hold. Angle counters Masters attempt to put on the Master Lock a third time by putting him in the Ankle Lock. Cena comes off the top rope to break that up and hits Angle with a shoulder tackle. Cena calls for Five Knuckle Shuffle, but Masters levels him with a clothesline. Masters grabs Cena and in comes Angle with a chair. Cena gets the boot up and then starts hitting Masters leg with a chair. Cena locks in the STF for the first time on Masters and gets the victory. I really enjoyed this, as it was really strong storytelling and it advanced all three of the characters involved. Masters looked like a serious threat, Angle didn't lose the match and Cena now has a strong submission hold in his arsenal. Good stuff.

Match Rating: ***1/2

They pan to Vince and Shane watching backstage. Vince says that next week it will be time for him to take out the trash. 

This show started strong and ended strong. Three people stepped up above their normal here and it helped the quality of the show. Carlito showed the fire in his match against Shawn Michaels, Big Show looked like a monster in stepping up to Triple H and Chris Masters held his own in the main event segment. With someone like Chris Jericho gone and Edge on the shelf with an injury, this had to have been a promising show for the creative staff. Overall, this was a good episode that I enjoyed for the most part from start to finish.

Overall Rating: 69%